Man and Machine

The machine metaphor is very useful when we are considering aspects of human health and disease. For example, human machines need tuneups just as much and just as regularly as do mechanical machines.

Human machines that are "out of tune" break down. The nature of the breakdown may be minor or major, but it's never a good thing. Most of the time our health is transparent to us - we don't consciously experience our various body parts doing their job. Pain, however, is a notably conscious experience and one which is almost always unwelcome and unpleasant.

Is a computer like a human brain or is a human brain like a computer? When machines allow us to extend our abilities, are we enhancing our humanness or becoming more machine-like? What are the meaningful distinctions between humans and machines and how do these impact our daily pursuits of health, well-being, and happiness?

One primary practical distinction is that humans initiate spontaneous, unique, non-predetermined actions and machines do not. Advanced machines such as military early warning systems may initiate spontaneous activities, but all of these are predetermined and predefined to a greater or lesser degree. And for any machine responses that are not previously designated and programmed as routine, human interaction is required for initiation of the suggested action.

Generally, even the "smartest" machine only has access to a built-in suite of responses. Noted exceptions include computer programs based on simple rules which emulate living systems. The "cellular automata" generated by these programs demonstrate spontaneous emergent behaviors not predictable from the simple rules themselves. The "artificial life" thus observed is exceedingly complex and can even provide optimal solutions to deep scientific problems posed to the system by investigators.

Cellular automata are examples of complex systems, defined as systems which are critically sensitive to small changes in initial conditions. Complex systems achieved fame in Michael Crichton's novel (and the subsequent Stephen Spielberg film), "Jurassic Park". In the book, the paleobotanist Dr. Ian Malcolm uses the weather as an example of the nature of complex systems. In a scene which has achieved iconic status, Malcolm relates how a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rain forest can cause a tornado in the American Midwest. Small changes in a complex system's initial state can lead to substantial unpredictable results in the system as a whole.

The human nervous system is such a complex, dynamic system.1,2,3 Small changes in the nervous system's initial state can result in dramatic outcomes. For example, a spinal misalignment (resulting from an innocuous low back muscle strain) can irritate a spinal nerve (a small change in initial conditions) which can lead to chronic indigestion, allergies, migraine headaches, or even high blood pressure down the road.

Most machines are not complex in this way, but they do require regular maintenance and care. As human beings, we are complex systems by our very nature and the importance of regular maintenance and care is that much greater. A healthy spine and optimally functioning nerve system go very far toward ensuring the health of our body-as-machine and our associated happiness and well-being.

Fantastic and professional establishment. Excellent customer service. Very personable staff. A diamond in the rough...best in the area.

Joshua F -
Elkland, PA

Special Notices

WELLSBORO OFFICE IS NOW OFFEREING REFLEXOLOGY
"Working the Sole to Touch the Soul" Ron Hagy - Certified ReflexologistWhat Is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an ancient practice, used to stimulate the foot reflexes to help trigger certain parts of the body. There are over 7000 nerve endings in each of your feet. All the nerves correspond to a certain part of the body. This includes muscles, organs, glands, bones, and everything in between. These nerves are tender to the touch when the corresponding body part has stress on it (be that an illness, injury, or poor muscle function). As the session progresses the body will start to detox and eliminate the toxins that have built up over time. This reduction in tenderness reflects the work the body is doing to try to correct the issue and naturally heal.

Call Wellsboro Office to Schedule Apts. #570-723-5000

Exciting New Service's Have Arrived In BOTH Offices !!!

Welcome Dr. Brittany D.C. She will be working with Dr. Lisa at both locations. New Services Include: Taping, Sport taping: Taping is used over and around the muscles to help improve muscular function and help decrease pain. Scrapping a technique used to help with inflammation, scar tissue and tight muscles. This a form of soft tissue therapy. Apt will also be available to work with Dr. Brittany on special exercises to help strength and support those trouble areas that you suffer from with pain. We will be posting weekly videos to demonstrate these new techniques.